α-Brass
Valid as an unnamed mineral
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About α-Brass
Formula:
Cu3Zn
Colour:
yellow
Lustre:
Metallic
Crystal System:
Isometric
Name:
According to compositional similarity with technical brass - widespread zinc-copper alloy.
Copper-zinc intermetallide with composition very close to Cu3Zn (33.3 mas.% of Zn). Compare with zincian copper.
α-Brass is slightly harder than copper, but not as hard as bronze.
Compare zhanghengite and danbaite.
α-Brass is slightly harder than copper, but not as hard as bronze.
Compare zhanghengite and danbaite.
Unique Identifiers
Mindat ID:
6830
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:6830:3
IMA Classification of α-Brass
IMA status notes:
Unnamed (probably valid)
Approval history:
Unnamed, but probably valid.
Classification of α-Brass
1.AB.10a
1 : ELEMENTS (Metals and intermetallic alloys; metalloids and nonmetals; carbides, silicides, nitrides, phosphides)
A : Metals and Intermetallic Alloys
B : Zinc-brass family
1 : ELEMENTS (Metals and intermetallic alloys; metalloids and nonmetals; carbides, silicides, nitrides, phosphides)
A : Metals and Intermetallic Alloys
B : Zinc-brass family
Pronunciation of α-Brass
Pronunciation:
| Play | Recorded by | Country |
|---|---|---|
| Jolyon Ralph | United Kingdom |
Physical Properties of α-Brass
Metallic
Transparency:
Opaque
Colour:
Yellow
Streak:
Golden-yellow
Tenacity:
Malleable
Cleavage:
None Observed
Fracture:
Irregular/Uneven
Optical Data of α-Brass
Type:
Isotropic
Chemistry of α-Brass
Mindat Formula:
Cu3Zn
Elements listed:
Crystallography of α-Brass
Crystal System:
Isometric
Class (H-M):
m3m (4/m 3 2/m) - Hexoctahedral
Synonyms of α-Brass
Other Language Names for α-Brass
Common Associates
Associated Minerals Based on Photo Data:
| 8 photos of α-Brass associated with Anorthite | Ca(Al2Si2O8) |
| 1 photo of α-Brass associated with Native Copper | Cu |
Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat Grouping
| 1.AB. | Magnesium | Mg |
| 1.AB.05 | Native Zinc | Zn |
| 1.AB.05 | Native Rhenium | Re |
| 1.AB.05 | Native Cadmium | Cd |
| 1.AB.05 | Titanium | Ti |
| 1.AB.10a | Zinccopperite | Cu7Zn4 (?) |
| 1.AB.10a | Zhanghengite | CuZn |
| 1.AB.10 | UM1980-01-E:CuZn | Cu3Zn |
| 1.AB.10 | UM1980-02-E:CuZn | Cu4.45Zn |
| 1.AB.10 | UM2003-03-E:AgAuCuZn | (Cu,Au,Ag)4Zn |
| 1.AB.10b | Tongxinite | Cu2Zn |
| 1.AB.10b | Danbaite | CuZn2 |
Other Information
Magnetism:
Paramagnetic
Health Risks:
No information on health risks for this material has been entered into the database. You should always treat mineral specimens with care.
Internet Links for α-Brass
mindat.org URL:
https://www.mindat.org/min-6830.html
Please feel free to link to this page.
Please feel free to link to this page.
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Mineral Dealers:
References for α-Brass
Localities for α-Brass
symbol to view information about a locality.
The Locality List
- This locality has map coordinates listed.
- This locality has estimated coordinates.
ⓘ - Click for references and further information on this occurrence.
? - Indicates mineral may be doubtful at this locality.
- Good crystals or important locality for species.
- World class for species or very significant.
(TL) - Type Locality for a valid mineral species.
(FRL) - First Recorded Locality for everything else (eg varieties).
All localities listed without proper references should be considered as questionable.
Atlantic Ocean | |
| Sharkov et al. (2007) |
| Marine Geology 161 (1999) |
Austria | |
| Grachev (Ed) +1 other reference |
Belarus | |
| Levitskiy et al. (2018, July) |
Chile | |
| Am Min 55:5-6 pp 1019-1021 |
China | |
| Li et al. (1989) |
Egypt | |
| Fawzy et al. (2021) |
Finland | |
| Knauf et al. (1-2) |
Germany | |
| Belendorff (2021) |
Japan | |
| - (Alleged in field trip guide notes.) |
| Nishida (1994) |
| Petrov (n.d.) |
Kazakhstan | |
| Blyalova et al. (2025) |
Russia | |
| Rozhdestvina et al. (2010) |
| Kepezhinskas et al. (2023) |
| www.igem.ru (2001) |
| |
| [AmMin 85:1845] |
| www.igem.ru (2001) |
| Feklichev et al. (1998) | |
| Ivanyuk et al. (2018) |
| M.I. Novgorodova analytical data |
| Kalinina (2015) |
| V.V. Seredin data |
| Pavel.M. Kartashov (n.d.) |
Ukraine | |
| Gurov et al. (2013) |
The Moon | |
| Mokhov A.V. and Kartashov P.M. data |
Hachijō-jima Island, Hachijō Subprefecture, Tokyo Metropolis, Japan